NOVEL NEXT Chapter 101
Detecting the abnormality of [Pitbit Jae] wasn’t just Teiron’s job.
Melissa from the 5,6 Party, blessed with high Magic Sensitivity, and Aveline, a knight with extraordinary intuition, also sensed that something was off.
‘Demon-Slaying Magic… it’s not working…’
That was probably the obvious conclusion.
If the Demon-Slaying Magic had worked, [Pitbit Jae] would have been defeated countless times by now.
To see any possibility of defeat, they needed to aim for the creature’s insides.
Flame magic, specialized for burning, could only deal significant damage to its outside.
Moreover, the opponent was a divine beast of fire, and that was just a fleeting moment.
On the other hand,
‘Aah…’
Pure evil.
Aveline shivered at the murderous intent of [Pitbit Jae].
Surely, an opportunity had presented itself.
With that level of destructive power…
‘There’s a chance…’
There was meaning in annihilating the one who would gain the essence of immortality.
‘Caeran, what would you do if you were here…?’
This time, she absolutely had to become the protagonist.
Kieeeee!!!
-!!
For now, Aveline needed to calm down a bit.
“Now’s the time, 5,6 Party!”
“Swooooosh!!”
Since [Pitbit Jae] started to descend towards the 5,6 Party where Aveline and Melissa were present.
“Shaaa…”
As Aveline pledged her protection and brandished the [Shield of Guardianship],
Kakakakakakang!!
Kieeeeeeeek!
Unlike the 3,4 Party, she easily pushed back the creature, sending [Pitbit Jae] back into the sky.
The speed of [Pitbit Jae] spinning in the air clearly slowed down.
The damage had accumulated, starting with Violet’s attack.
This meant there was a possibility that Melissa’s Demon-Slaying Magic would also land a valid hit.
However…
Aveline could only engage in close-range attacks.
True to her recent experience,
“There’s no opening at all.”
Attempting to deliver a close-range attack to [Pitbit Jae] could only happen in the blink of an eye.
Thus, there weren’t many opportunities for Aveline to aim for the final blow.
Fortunately for her…
Right now, Melissa did not know that Aveline could handle divine aura.
In other words, to hide this, she would have to utilize both Violet and Melissa, allowing Aveline to get the essence of immortality into her hands.
At that moment, a brilliant idea sparked in her mind.
Aveline, concealing her smile, spoke softly enough for only Melissa to hear.
“Melissa.”
“Yeah, I felt it too… that thing is dangerous.”
“Indeed. Given the circumstances, how about we join forces?”
“Huh?”
“Actually, I know, Melissa. I’m aware that the magic you use has a Demon-Slaying attribute…”
Melissa’s expression twitched as Aveline easily discovered her preparations.
“Well… I…”
‘Right on the money…’
She managed to maintain her poker face, but couldn’t shake Aveline’s suspicion.
“Let’s not beat around the bush, how about we do this?”
“Huh?”
“You’ll imbue your Demon-Slaying Magic onto my sword.”
“What? … What are you talking about…”
“With fire magic, you can’t reach its core, right? So, if you grant me the magic enhancement, I can deliver the finishing blow.”
“You think it’s that easy?!”
“Aren’t you a genius with flame magic? Besides, at this rate… there are going to be casualties in the 3,4 Party. There’s only one chance. After that, it’ll be in the hands of fate. One of either your Demon-Slaying Magic or my sword will pierce [Pitbit Jae]’s heart…”
“Ugh…”
The truth was, Melissa knew this was a viable proposition.
After all, with fire magic, she couldn’t reach the heart.
And while Aveline was skilled, she alone couldn’t vanquish the demon.
In other words, if things went well, it would be a situation where she could handle it without dirtying her hands.
“Okay…”
Feeling a bit uneasy, yet having no other options, Melissa accepted the proposal.
*
“Our party member, the knight…!”
The Shield Knight from Party 3, dispatched from Divine Valhalla, sacrificed himself for us.
‘It can’t even compare to the Pleasure Lord.’
Of course, it was inevitable that monsters would cause casualties…
‘At this rate, we really might all die?’
For now, Violet, who had foolishly made a reckless gamble, was right next to me, so I could protect her using Wind Archery – Wind Shield.
She looked at me with stunned eyes, but that wasn’t something to focus on right now.
I quickly opened the detailed view, examining only [Pitbit Jae]’s core skills.
A Grade monster in Hell Mode… it was incredibly strong.
In Hwanseangyongsa, how many people had to synchronize to take it down?
Thus, I absolutely needed to find its weakness.
—————————————————
[Pitbit Jae]
[Skills]
[Resurrection (Passive)]: If the kill condition is not met, resurrect at the birthplace after 180 days.
[Immortality (Passive)]: Activates when [Pitbit Jae]’s health drops below 33%. Gradually turns to ash, instantly recovering all damage taken, entering resurrection downtime after 30 seconds.
(*Pitbit Jae cannot take damage exceeding 25% in a single hit.)
[Dark Magic – Chaos State Penalty]:
1) Additional damage from Demon-Slaying and Execution attribute attacks.
2) If immortality activates from Sacred attribute attacks, [Pitbit Jae]‘s health recovery ceiling is fixed according to that.
[Flame Afterimage (Passive)]: When [Pitbit Jae] receives a physical shock, a magenta flame particle remains in the spot passed. This automatically ignites, causing a fire attribute explosion.
.
.
.
[Special States]
[Berserk]: None
[Grogue]: None
[Weakened]: [Pitbit Jae] is immune to standard attacks. However, there is a soul in orb form within this divine beast’s body, and it can take damage from special attacks.
—————————————————
‘Literally an immortal bird.’
To summarize simply,
[Pitbit Jae] enters an immortal state when its health falls below 33%.
And it cannot take more than 25% damage at once, instantly recovering, so,
‘Simple math: 33-25=8.’
It will always have 8 health left, making it impossible to take it down in one hit or cancel the immortal pattern.
‘However, there’s a way to break this.’
In the Hwanseangaka fanfic, it doesn’t specify exactly how Caeran took it down, but looking at the gimmick, I have a good guess.
It’s the setting of being consumed by Dark Magic.
For now, the creature does not die from extra damage from Demon-Slaying and Execution attacks, making it meaningless.
—————————————————
If a Sacred attribute attack activates immortality, then [Pitbit Jae]’s health recovery ceiling is fixed.
—————————————————
Only with Sacred attacks, introducing the immortal pattern, at the right timing, it stated that we could lower its health recovery criteria.
In other words, Caeran attacked the soul with close attacks wrapped in Sacred power, reducing its recovery limit below 25%, and then finished it off with Edwin’s stolen technique, the [Executioner’s Blade].
‘Wow, this is incredibly tough…’
For now, I had no Sacred ability, and being a ranged fighter, targeting its soul was tough.
I had prepared a crossbow bolt enchanted with Sacred power thanks to Aria, but I wasn’t sure if it would suffice.
Kieeeeee!
“1,2 party, prepare to come back!”
“Yes!!”
[Pitbit Jae]’s next destination was the 1,2 Party with Selena and the commander Teiron.
Thanks to Violet and the 5,6 Party’s efforts, its combat power had weakened significantly.
‘Are there any people around who can handle Sacred power…?’
There were, albeit reluctantly. The non-core heroine, the holy knight, Aveline Valantes.
She was gripping her sword tightly between the shields.
‘No way, is she planning to catch it?’
I knew that Melissa and Aveline were competing here, but…
There was no doubt that whatever plan those two had would fail. Caeran would have to come back to catch it again later.
“Then?”
It was simple. If I could ride on this, utilize Wind Instant Kill…
What if I took the last hit…?
‘I can’t resist a finishing kill.’
A fleeting thought about whether it was possible came to mind, but with Caeran around, there was no rule that he couldn’t do what I couldn’t.
I absolutely had to capture it and obtain the essence of immortality.
…For Yeriel, and for the future.
While I was off on those thoughts, my party members began to approach me through the dust.
“Y-You, how did you do that…?”
“Is Violet senpai alright?”
I took a deep breath before addressing the disheveled party.
“Everyone, regroup first. It’s our turn for the next descent.”
“What, it’s coming back again??”
The descent of [Pitbit Jae] helpfully took the sequence of
1,2 (Teiron, Selena) -> 3,4 (me) -> 5,6 (Melissa, Aveline).
‘Now the main tanker is just him…’
Looking at Raymon, who was shaking, this might be the last chance to stop it.
In other words, we had to end it before our turn came around again.
“The rear guards will handle themselves, so don’t worry. Just prepare quickly!”
“……!”
In a normal situation, someone would have objected to my words, but,
“Does anyone have a mana potion?”
“Here, I need a health potion…”
“I need strengthening magic…”
Given the circumstances, everyone returned to their positions.
And without hesitation, I moved toward Violet.
She seemed to be in shock, clearly disturbed by the situation caused by her.
Pop!
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet.
“…?!”
Then there she was, showing a flustered expression like one you’d never see in a novel.
“From now on, just listen to me.”
“Huh…?”
“I said just listen to me.”
Since I had already saved her… I intended to collect my dues for her life.